Landscape design is an excellent opportunity for home and business owners to not only improve the area surrounding their home or business aesthetically, but also ecologically. With growing climate concerns, the importance of water conservation is no longer restricted to drought-prone areas of the world. Especially in North America, which uses over 50% of its residential water supply on lawns and landscaping, the need for innovative landscaping techniques is evident. Below are some tips on how to conserve water while creating and maintaining a beautiful landscape design.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a landscaping technique that was originally designed for drought areas, but is now becoming widespread due to the ease of maintenance and the lack of fertilizers and pesticides used. It’s a creative, integrated method by which to conserve water and maintain a beautiful landscape. Xeriscaping includes studying the contours of the land, considering the climate and the purpose you desire for the area in order to implement a landscape design that conserves water.

One integral part of xeriscaping is the proper use of plants. It’s never a good idea to place plants that are indigenous to a wet area in an area that receives less water. Instead, work with plants that are native to your location or plants that are drought-resistant — like those of the southwest. For instance, many native plants used in Minnesota landscape design are adjusted to the hot and dry summers, making them a great indigenous choice. Some characteristics of drought-resistant plants are their leaves, which are usually thick, glossy, and small. It’s also a good idea to plant trees near these plants in order to shade them from the sun, reducing water evaporation.

Focus On The Roots

For all plants, and especially for trees, it’s important to water at the plant’s base. The plant’s roots, not the plant’s leaves, are how the plant takes in water. Sprinkler systems, while popular, waste much water by landing on the plant’s surface, leaving the majority of the water sprayed for the sun and wind to evaporate.

Instead, soak newly planted trees by running a hose at the base of the tree. It’s always best to water deeply for less time than to sprinkle frequently. Soak the tree base for 15 to 20 minutes. This method encourages root absorption and reduces surface erosion. Implement variations of this method for all of your plants, depending on their needs. For this reason, it’s important not to mix plants with differing watering needs next to each other. You’ll risk wasting water on plants that don’t need as much.

When To Water

Choosing when to water is another important technique in water conservation. To minimize excess evaporation, do not water between the hours of 10 AM and 6 PM. If this doesn’t fit your schedule, implement a timer into your landscape design and set the timer to run in the early morning or the later evening.

Learning to practice proper landscaping techniques can be a big huge help in improving our environment and beautifying your business or home area. To learn more tips on how to conserve water or how to choose the proper plants, browse the web or contact a professional landscaper.

Christine O’Kelly writes for the Minneapolis landscaping experts at Lee’s Landscaping and Design. They have enhanced Minnesota landscape design for over nine years with artistic flair.